Anna suddenly realized the time. Abandoning her reading, she changed and hurried out, heading for the M4 via a deli. All the way there, her mind churned over and over her conversation with Lewis and her take on the case file. She had changed her mind about what to do with the newspaper cuttings: they were now in her briefcase.
Anna parked her Mini and bent into the back seat to collect the groceries and the files; when she turned round, she nearly dropped them all.
Langton was standing on the steps of the Glebe House. Standing — and with a grin stretched from ear to ear. He waved.
Anna ran to him, overcome with emotion.
‘Now don’t you grab me, or I could fall over,’ he said.
‘I don’t believe it!’
‘You’d better. I’ve walked from the lounge to here unaided and now I am going to walk back in there.’
Anna watched as he turned slowly and walked, step-by-step, opening the door for her; then, a little unsteady, he kept on walking towards the lounge. She saw him wince in pain, but he was so determined to keep on his feet that he refused to even place a hand against the wall to steady himself.
He eventually got to a big comfortable wingback chair and eased his body down. Then he looked up at her. His face was glistening with sweat.
‘I’m coming back, Anna! Gimme a few more days, I’ll run out there to meet you.’
Anna put down her briefcase and groceries on a table as he raised his hand to her.
‘Come here, you.’ He drew her close and she bent down to kiss him, trying hard not to cry. He kissed her right back and then gave a long sigh. ‘If I keep going at this rate, I’ll be home by the end of next week.’
She drew up a chair to sit close to him.
‘What do you think?’ he asked.
‘I think that would be wonderful,’ she said, taking out the grapes and smoked salmon and bagels.
He had shaved and was wearing a shirt and trousers rather than pyjamas, though he still had slippers on his feet.
‘So,’ he said, still with that smile on his face. ‘How’s your day been?’
Chapter Four
Langton was not exactly back to his old self, but the advancements he had made physically had given him a new energy and confidence. Anna suspected he was probably fuelled with painkillers, but it didn’t matter. He had been in such good spirits, she decided not to make him think about his case or go over the discussion she’d had with Lewis.
Sunday found him in an even better state, both physically and mentally, but Anna did not bring up his case, as Barolli and his wife turned up and, no sooner had they left, his ex-wife and stepdaughter arrived. Kitty was such a sweet child and his interaction with her was very moving for Anna to watch. Lorna, his ex-wife, was very much the focus of attention: another reason for Anna to remain quiet. Lorna was cordial to Anna, but she still felt slightly out of the loop, as they discussed Lorna’s baby son and she showed Langton photographs. Anna was totally unaware that Lorna even had another child; there was no mention of who her new partner was, or even if she had one. Anna felt so excluded that she decided that it would be best if she left, to allow Kitty and Lorna to spend more time alone with Jimmy. She was disappointed that he wasn’t more eager for her to stay, but he did kiss her and say to Lorna how much she had done for him.
‘I might not be able to see you tomorrow,’ she told him, ‘as we will be going to trial soon and—’
He wafted his hand. ‘Yeah yeah, you do what you have to do. Call me, okay?’
‘Yes, I’ll call you.’
She kissed him goodbye. It was sweet, the way Kitty insisted she walk with her to her car. The little girl was really adorable and so full of energy; she chit-chattered nineteen to the dozen about riding her pony and taking piano lessons. Sometimes, she referred to Langton as Papa but would also call him by his Christian name.
‘You love him lots, don’t you?’ Anna said, as she bleeped open her Mini.
‘Yes, ’cos he’s so much fun. Now with Tommy, I don’t get to see him as much as I used to.’ She was hopping from one foot to the other.
‘How old is Tommy?’
‘He’s eighteen months and can’t talk yet. He’s always crying, ’cos some more of his teeth are coming.’
‘Who’s Mummy’s friend?’ Anna asked, rather coyly.
‘What friend?’
‘Well, who do you live with now, apart from Mummy?’
‘Oh, no one, we just live together.’
‘I see, so who looks after Tommy?’
‘Nana — we have a Nana. She lives with us most days, but goes home at weekends.’
At that moment, Lorna came out and called to Kitty, worried about her. Kitty gave a wave to Anna as she returned to her mother. Lorna also waved to Anna as she drove out of the car park.
When she let herself into her flat, Anna was feeling at odds. Sometimes, it felt as if she never really knew Langton at all. Not that he was secretive — just that he didn’t ever really discuss his past life.
As she was getting ready for bed, the phone rang. It was Langton. He sounded quite drunk.
‘Eh, how you doing?’
‘I’m doing fine. Good thing is, so are you.’
‘Yep, I’m doing great. It got a bit tiring with so many visitors. I’m going to crash out soon for an early night.’
‘Me too.’
‘Thanks for the goodies you brought. Kitty ate most of the grapes.’
‘She’s lovely.’
‘Yeah, she’s growing up fine.’
‘Very pretty.’
‘Yep, takes after her mother.’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay, just called to see if you were home safe and sound.’
‘I am.’
‘Good. So I won’t see you tomorrow?’
‘No, I’m in court.’
‘Okay, well, whenever. Sleep tight. Love you.’
‘I love you too.’
There was a pause. ‘Yes, I know,’ he said softly.
‘Goodnight then.’
‘Goodnight.’
He ended the call. She held the receiver in her hand a moment before she replaced it.
Anna did not actually have much to do at all. A trial date had now been set, so the incident room was being cleared and all papers and documents pertaining to the case were being selected. The defence and prosecution would contact them for further details but, apart from that, the team would be disbanded. Anna could either be assigned to another case or remain working with Sheldon, depending on what he was involved in. She had grown to quite like Harry Blunt; he really did suit his name. He was standing by a filing cabinet, when Brandon sailed in with a waft of his cologne.
Harry turned to him. ‘Do you mind me saying something personal?’
‘Depends on what it is.’
‘It’s that bloody cologne you splash over yourself. It really makes me feel nauseous, especially at this time in the morning.’
‘It’s expensive,’ Brandon said defensively.
‘Well, I’m sorry, but maybe you should not use so much.’